Wings of Freedom at @RDUairport with @CollingsFdn

While browsing my Google Feed last week (it knows me so well), I came across an article in The News & Observer about the Wings of Freedom Tour. While I was aware of the Warbirds over Monroeair show coming on Memorial Day, this was news to me! The AvGeek inside needed to be satisfied, so I made plans to visit. Though I was not able to visit on their first night, I was able to visit over the weekend!

I was not the only one with the idea!

The planes were divided into two sections: the B-17 and B-24 were available for walk-through tours, while the B-25 and P-51 were in a cordoned off area where you could purchase flights. The B-24J “Witchcraft” is the last air-worthy Liberator, according to Collings, and you can see a 3-D interior view here (requires Flash).

The B-24 Liberator

People for scale

Four Pratt & Whitney R-1830s

Top turret and the cockpit

Nose-gunner

Tail-Gunner

Next to the B-24 was the B-17. The Nine-O-Nine flies, too! While the Flying Fortress has an incredibly colorful history, the story that comes to mind every time I see this plane is that of Charlie Brown and Franz Stigler (which then inspired the song “No Bullets Fly” by the Swedish metal band Sabaton).

The Flying Fortress

The Nine-o-Nine

The “Chin” Gun

Four Wright R-1820-97s

While I was waiting for the P-51 to return from its flight, I managed to catch the return of American’s B772ER that goes between RDU and LHR.

Back from across the pond

Since the flights last 30 minutes, there was a bit of a wait (man, I wish I had the funds to go up…). In addition to the P-51, there was a B-25 that was also available for flights. Unfortunately, it was parked too far away to get a better shot.

B-25 Mitchell

At last, the Mustang had returned, and I was able to catch a few shots as it returned to the hangar.